Dean Reed Goebel

Dean R. Goebel of North Branch, formerly of Rush City, passed away peacefully at Ecumen of North Branch on Thursday, April 10, 2014, at the age of 89.Dean was born October 31, 1924 in the Braham hospital. He lived in Rush Point during his childhood and spent the majority of his life in Rush City.Having lived through the Great Depressions, Dean hoped his children and grandchildren never had to face such an experience. It was a humbling period of his life and a time that brought people together. It helped mold Dean into the person he was, one who enjoyed helping out others in need.At age 14, Dean was baptized and confirmed at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rush Point. During his school years, he worked at the family saw mill, and helped with the harvesting and milking. He graduated from North Branch High School in 1942.In 1950 he was inducted into the Army and served in Alaska with the 196th Regimental Combat Team. In 1953 he went to Iceland and worked as a heavy equipment operator.Dean met Janice Dunbar in 1956 when he was the best man in his cousin’s wedding and Janice was maid of honor. They were married in 1957 at the Little Brown Church in Iowa. They moved to Rush City and raised three children – Susan, Frederick and Sally. During the later years of marriage, Dean took pride in being Jan’s primary caregiver.Dean was a heavy equipment engineer and member of the local 49’ers Union. He worked hard before retiring at the age of 63. He then enjoyed caring for his apple trees, fishing and cutting wood. If you needed a tree down or snow plowed, you knew who to call – Dean Goebel.He will be remembered for many things, but one thing setting him apart was his smile and dimples.Dean was a long time member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City and served on the church council and cemetery board. Dean belonged to the Rush City American Legion, Grothe-Jacobson VFW, Jasper Masonic Lodge, Royal Arch Mason, Shriners of North America and the Rush City Lions.Dean leaves behind his wife of 57 years Janice M. Goebel, children: Susan (Wendell) VanVliet of Taylorsville, NC, Frederick (Linda) Goebel of Cohasset, MN, Sally (Craig) Kennedy of Winter Park, FL; grandchildren: Dean Burdick of Eau Claire, WI, Jolyne Burdick of Manhattan, KS, Melissa (Robert) Nelson of Centerville, MN, Sarah Goebel of Cottage Grove, MN, Jesse (Michelle) Goebel of Cottage Grove, MN, Samantha Kennedy of Austin, TX, Nicole (Aaron) Peck of Fayetteville, NC; great grandchildren: Autum, Landon, Zachary, Caleb, Joshua, Christine, Connor and Carson; sisters: Betty Devlin of LaFeria, TX, Wanda (Marlyn) Behrendt of Harris, MN; and many nieces and nephews.He is preceded in death by his parents Frederick & Hilma (Reed) Goebel.In lieu of flowers; memorials are preferred to a charity of the donors choice.Reverend Laurie O'Shea will officiate a memorial service for Dean at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, 2014. A time of visitation is scheduled for Monday evening from 5-8:00 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.  Visitaions will be held at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City.Funeral arrangements for Dean Goebel are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City, Olson Chapel.www.funeralandcremationservice.com